Fishing

The Gulf Coast is a definite hot spot for fishing – anglers travel here from all over to drop a line into our waters. Ideally situated on the Gulf of Mexico, Corpus Christi's shallow bays are protected by narrow barrier islands, providing excellent fishing conditions year-round. 

Casting from piers to chartering a deep-sea angling adventure, you'll find people fishing anywhere you see water. Types of catch vary depending on the time of year and location. The most popular inshore fish species include speckled trout, redfish, black drum, flounder, and sheepshead. Offshore fishing makes for an exciting adventure where you can expect to find bigger fish such as snapper, dorado, king mackerel, tuna, and jacks.

On the Mustang Island side of Packery Channel, the Packery Channel Boat Ramp is a four-lane ramp with ample paved parking. Able to handle most sizes of boats, it is also the closest access point to the Gulf of Mexico. Check out several other spots located on the Packery Channel – such as Marker 37 Boat Ramp, Billings Boat Ramp, and Clems Boat Ramp – that offer great launching points from the north side of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Causeway. 

Bluff's Landing Boat Ramp gives boaters direct access to the Upper Laguna Madre. This private two-lane ramp offers good protection from the wind and waves. Bird Island Basin provides a boat ramp popular among anglers wanting to fish the rich waters in the southern area of the Upper Laguna Madre and the Baffin Bay. 

Located downtown in the Corpus Christi Municipal Marina on the "L-Head," the Cooper's Alley Boat Ramp is an excellent public ramp for launching within the Marina breakwaters. The concrete ramp and convenient parking lot make this spot popular to access the west side of Corpus Christi Bay.

On a popular summer day, boat ramps can get crowded. One of the advantages of kayak fishing is the ability to launch almost anywhere there's a shoreline. Many also track skinny water redfish by paddling around the trails near Mustang and Padre Islands to the mangroves of Lighthouse Lakes. Before heading out on the water, be sure to wear a life jacket or have one readily available. The U.S. Coast Guard recommends putting your name and phone number on your boat, including kayaks and other unregistered vessels. If you don't have access to a boat, don't fret! Plenty of locals fish from the shore, on a pier, or out in the Laguna. Kayak rentals can be found at Wind and Wave Watersports, Nauticool Adventures, and Coastal Bend Kayak, to name a few.

With many top-notch fishing guides available, Corpus Christi is a great place to book a charter and learn about the fish you can catch, fishing tactics, and answers to potential questions such as, "What do I do with the oversized redfish I just caught?" (Answer: Most anglers “catch and release” to help fish reproduce for future generations.) Texas Parks and Wildlife Department also provides a weekly fishing report filled with valuable information on saltwater fishing.

The essentials for fishing are few: a rod, a reel, bait or lure, and a fishing license. Apparel options should meet the two primary needs of comfort and sun protection. While there are plenty of bait shops along the way to most fishing locations, you can find everything you need for your fishing adventure at Roy's Bait and Tackle, a 40-year-old local fishing outfitter.

With so many locations to fish, fishing is not only a great way for all ages to spend time outdoors, but it's also one of the most convenient ways to get out on the water and embrace the Coastal Bend.